Clean Slate
A New Year, A New You
“The house is so
bare!” I mumbled after boxing up all our Christmas
decorations. “Is this why we make resolutions, to
start the new year with a clean slate?”
Resolving to change our ways is easier said than done and is why we often give up. So, how can we resolve to change and stick with the promises we make to ourselves and others?
First, we must start with a clean slate. As the Scriptures tell us, "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!" 2
Corinthians 5:17 (BSB).
To be “in Christ,” means you belong to him. No longer do you trust your own good works to earn God’s favor. Rather, you trust in Jesus’ death on the cross to pay the debt you owe to God for sinning against him. (Romans 6:23)
Secondly, we must ask God to help us. Resolving to change apart from the Holy Spirit’s help is often difficult, if not impossible. The amazing thing is God promises to give us his desires, so that we are not white-knuckling it, but we’ll actually want to change!
"Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart" Psalm 37:4
(ESV).
We are to find our daily delight, that is, find our satisfaction, joy, and contentment in God.
We do this by reading his Word, talking with him in continued conversation,
staying connected with his people, and giving of ourselves in service to others.
Finally, we must find our rest in Christ. When we fail to live up to our resolutions, we can come boldly to God’s throne and confess our shortcomings and sins (Hebrews 4:16). And even when we feel like giving up, we can trust God’s promise that says, “he who began this good work in you, will carry it through to completion on the day of Christ Jesus" Philippians 1:6
(GW).
Friends, this coming New Year, let us look to Jesus and yield our lives to him, trusting that he will work in and through us to accomplish his
plan! Amen?
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Copyright 2024 S.A. Keith
You might also like reading God’s Resolutions.
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